Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ezekiel 17: 22-24

I don’t know too much about trees and plants.  I do remember that my Mom had a plant graveyard in the basement of our house.  The dead plants piled up there until they were thrown out.  Today God promises that a shoot will grow on a high and lofty mountain.  Remember that King David’s line was described as a “shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse.”  God will make David’s lineage thrive and continue on forever.  God will make it bloom and animals will find protection in its shade.  “As I the Lord, have spoke, so will I do.”  It will happen.

We give thanks for our families (lineage.)  Ask God to bless each of your family members.  God, let them thrive in your care.

2 Corinthians 5: 6-10

“We walk by faith…”  Those few words are quite important for us in the Christian life.  When I celebrate a baptism of an adult or a wedding, these words have special meaning.  They are also important for today’s celebration of Father’s Day.  The newly baptized are embarking upon a special journey that they have not experienced previously.  They are called to live the faith of Jesus in their lives and they might not be sure where that journey will take them.  Newly married couples also walk by faith because it is their faith in each other and in God that will guide them.  Indeed all people walk forward in their Christian journey not knowing how it will end, but knowing that God will be there for them.

How do you sense yourself walking in faith?  Is it too hard sometimes?  What is God asking of you as you walk the path to him?

Mark 4: 26-34

Science attempts to discover the truths of our universe – a noble task.  There is not a conflict between science and religion because both seek to answer the same questions?  How do things in this world work?  What is our place?  We want to understand our universe and science and religion help us do that task.  Jesus tells us that there are sometimes truths beyond our ability to understand.  The farmer doesn’t necessarily know how his crop grows but he is still confident and hopeful  that the harvest will be fruitful.   We might not understand completely the workings of the world but we can be confident that God directs us and cares for us.

What don’t you understand?  What puzzles you?  Ask God to help you understand what you can.  Ask for the trust necessary to place yourself in His hands for those things you don’t understand.

 

I invite your comments.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Today is the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ.  In the past, there were processions and other services in honor of this day, which recalls the gift of Jesus’ offering of himself for us.

Exodus 24:3-8

Moses stands in front of the Israelites and reads to them the law of God.  They respond with gusto, “We will do everything that the Lord has told us.”  Then they offer a sacrifice to show their assent.  The sacrifice of the body and blood of the young bulls reminds the people that they are called to give their body and blood to the Lord.  They are called to give their entire selves in service to God.  This covenant

Between God and Israel will stand forever due to the sacrifice that is made.

We pray that we can make a sacrifice of ourselves to God.  Do we see the Eucharist as a covenant between ourselves and God –a  covenant to serve God and others?

Hebrews 9:11-15

In the first reading, who offered the sacrifice to God?  The priests.  This reading tells us that Jesus is the high priest who offers the sacrifice on the people’s behalf.  He offers a sacrifice not of animals like in the Old Testament.  Rather the sacrifice is his own flesh for the life of the world.  The sacrifice of animals had its’ effect but the sacrifice of Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, rendering all other sacrifices for sin unnecessary.  He has established a new covenant, replacing the covenant of the Old Testament.

What are the sacrifices that you have had to make?  Did you see God’s hand in those sacrifices?

What are the sacrifices God is asking of you now?

Mark 14: 12-16, 22-26

It is interesting that Jesus asks for a “Guest room” for the Passover celebration with the disciples.  Two things stand out.  First, guests come for a time and then leave.  This night is a part of Jesus’ identity as Messiah.  He comes for a little while as a guest and then gives those who follow him food for the long journey ahead.  The disciples will be sent into the world at Pentecost as “guests” – foreigners who bring a foreign idea to the people.   They will preach about Jesus in all parts of the world.  Very hard work indeed.  Second, Jesus is a guest of the world as well as being its ruler.  It would be so much easier if Jesus just stayed forever with the disciples and the world.  That doesn’t happen.  He comes as a guest, staying with us for a while.

We pray that we can make a “guest room” for Jesus in our hearts, homes, businesses, government, etc.  Do you sense that Jesus is a guest, coming and going?  How is it when we sense that the guest Jesus has left us for a while?

 

I invite your comments.